Heinrich seeks to boost border security across NM’s Bootheel

Albuquerque Journal ^ | May 2, 2016 | Lauren Villagran

[Tammy8]

Remote, rugged terrain.

That is the phrase used over and over to describe New Mexico’s Bootheel by the people who live there, the agents who guard the border and the politicians who say they are trying to figure out how to fill gaps in resources to get that job done.

Making those words understood in Washington, D.C., has been no easy task.

“We need more focus in Washington, D.C., on these remote areas,” Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, told me Monday.

Heinrich spent the weekend touring the Bootheel with the Border Patrol and visiting with ranchers. Last month, Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Heinrich sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske detailing the resources they believe are needed. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., has met with ranchers and has been talking with CBP about their concerns.

What it takes to secure a region like Hidalgo County is not what it takes in San Diego, El Paso or the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. There are 86 miles of border and nearly 4,000 square miles of terrain sliced north-south by three separate mountain chains and precious few roads.

Apprehensions by Border Patrol in New Mexico rose to 11,216 in fiscal 2015 from 6,910 in fiscal 2011 – a 62 percent increase over five years.

[Tammy8]

So much for people saying there are few illegals crossing the border.

Apprehensions by Border Patrol in New Mexico rose to 11,216 in fiscal 2015 from 6,910 in fiscal 2011 – a 62 percent increase over five years.

[Tammy8]

The recent interest in this area of the border is a response to the meeting held recently in Animas, NM. Link to videos of the meeting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8q_8F98hEI&list=PLZgh-ICwJq-su_M2-DXgvpG2hevlRikx0

[snooter55]

Look, Washington ( current and previous administrations ) will not take a closer look at something they don’t care to see. NM needs to handle this shit themselves - I would.

FWDC !

[DNME]

Call up the militia.

It’s not deer season so you should get lots of volunteers. Ask them to help.

[cowpoke]

Thanks for posting. Not mentioned in the article is the Border Patrol practice of deploying their agents 20,30,40 miles north of the border, ceding this area to the drug and human traffickers. This leaves these ranchers and rural folks in no man’s land as the border has been moved, in effect, north.

[Paladin2]

US BP needs to be deployed 10 mi SOUTH of the Border....

[Paladin2]

Web controlled fence blockhouses. Plenty of peeps would man them 24/7 remotely.

[Tammy8]

Yes in this area our government has basically ceded 50 miles of the border to Mexico for many miles of border. Border Patrol does not want to interact/apprehend illegals until they have made it 50 miles into the U.S. even if they are aware they are traveling inside the U.S. by using surveillance or other means. My house is South of the 50 mile designated enforcement area, so we are on our own it looks like.

When we encountered illegals in the past and called BP they would come get them. Now when we call they ask if we “feel threatened” by them. I never thought I would live in a no man’s land. Like living in AZ Territory back in the 1880s again.

[CedarDave]

Rancher Judy Keeler:

"We’re fatigued of all the promises, and they don’t deliver, and I think I’m not the only one that feels fatigued.”

“There are not enough people to really matter down here,” she said. “The message is the border is secure, and everyone who lives on the border knows it’s not true.”

---

Heinrich is a far left Democrat who is only paying lip service to this. What's needed is strong enforcement of the border with more than a few horses. A wall with day-night patrols would be nice

[CedarDave]

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[Tammy8]

Trust me I know this! The dims never help but they show up to make promises for photo-ops. We have had more than normal traipsing around these parts so I think Trump has them worried. They want to be able to take credit when something is done.

[okie01]

I used to return from Spring training in Arizona via NM-9, just a mile or two north of the border -- Rodeo-Animas-Columbus-Santa Teresa.

For non-natives, there is one word to describe the terrain: empty. It's rugged, alright. But without any cover, whatsoever -- no trees, just rocks, sand and cactus. Well, there are the culverts under the highway and the abandoned RR roadbed.

Inhospitable countryside, unquestionably more active at night than during the day.